Controlling mechanism for heating systems



March 31. 1925. 1,531,509

E. A. RUSSELL CQNTROLLING IECHMIIS m HEATING SYSTEIS Filed Jun 16,- 1919 4 Shears-Sheet 1 March- 31, 1925.

E. A. RUSSELL comnonnme u'acmmxsx gon HEATING SYSTEMS Filed June 15, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 "iii March 31, 1925. 1 1,531,509

E. A. RUSSELL CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR HEATING SYSTEMS Filed June 16, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 31, 1925. 1,531,509

E. A. RUSSELL CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR HEATING SYSTEMS Filofi June 16, 1919 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i masts. icailv Patented Mar. 31, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT -.o'F =icE.

EDVI'AR-DA. RUSSELL, OF CHICAGO, ELLINOIS, ASSIGNOR-TO VAPOR CAR HEATING OOMIPANY,INO., OF. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.'

CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR HEATING SYSTEMS.

Applioation filed June 16, 191a. sem No. 304,442.

To all 107mm itmag concern:

Be it lmown that I, EDWARD A. RUSSELL, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the countyof Cook and State OifllllllOlS, have invented certain new'and I useful Improvements 111, Controlling. Mechanism for Heating Systems, of Which "the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mechanism for controlling the How of fluids through a -cir radatory system, and. particularly to a controlling mechanism for a steam heating systeni intended for heatin railway cars; and the principal object of the invention is to pronde a new and-improved controlling valve for the radiator of a heating system and mechanism for opening and closing said valve automatically, in response, for example, to fluctuations in the temperature (it the car atmosphere.

The invention consists in the new and improved constructions, arrangements and devices to he hereinafter described andclaimed for carrying out theabove stated object and such other. incidental objects as will appear from 'the' following description of the )referred embodiment illustrated in the accompa ying drawings.

In the drawings,

:Fig. 1 is a diagram in perspective of the car heating system prorided with the controlling means WlllCh 1s thexsuhgect matter is in arted to the Valve. 7

5 is a vertical sectional VlOW ot the con ll mechanism including; the theractuated motor. for over-nine I b r.

: piston, and

-tion of adjustment.

the application of pressure fluid to thevalve F '6 is a horizontal section takensubstantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section 'takensubstantially on the lineY-T of Fig. 5, showingthe valve assembly in a different posi- "Fig. 8 isa horizontal section taken substantially on line 8-8 of F1g55.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring first toFig. 1, A. is a radiating coil arranged Within the car,the floor of which latter is indicatedatB. 'IC isthe steam train pipe (fillfilIlX GHUOII liavin'gto do particularly with. a steam heatingsystom); D isayapor regulator ot common construction which operates to control the inflowv of steam from thetrain @pipe '0 to the radiator A in accordance-With the temperature of the medium outflowing-fro-m. the radiator so as to -maintain themedium' in the radiator at substantially atmospheric pressure. E is:a tour-Way valve which in one position of its Valve member directs low pressure steam from the vapor regulator to the radiator and directs outflow or medium from the radiator to'the thermostat chamber of the vapor regulator, and in anotheriposition of said valve member shuts off both ends of the radiator, putting them in communication Witha drainage port, and: 'adlrects Jthe .IlOW pressure steam from 'i the vapor regulator through a circuit which .leads hack to the thermostat: cnamher of said'rapor regulator so that the regulator, -whichxis exposed -to .:theweatheryxwill he kept.tromitreezing. :Fis a fiuid'qaressure motor for operating the tour-Way valve.

is thermostat located :in the ear so a s to be sub ect to fluctuations Lin. the: temperature of the car atmospherepand H is anelectri'c motor in circuit with. the thermostat :and sourc'eot supply of electric currentJI for governing the application of pressure fluid to the motor l1 The four-way valve E comprises a casing 10 having interior webs 11, 12, 13, 14-, dividing it into four chambers 15, 16, 17 and 18. A pipe consisting of sections 19 and 20 between which the vapor regulator D is interposed leads from the train pipe C to chamber 15, pipes C, 1.9 and 20 constituting what might be termed the supply pipe for radiator A. The inflow pipe 21 is connected with casing 10 so as to lead from chamber 16. The outflow pipe 22 01" the radiator leads to chamber 17 23 is a pipe leading from chamber 18 to the thermostat chamber of the vapor regulator. Further description of the vapor regulator will be unnecessary as this device is in common use and is described in a number of patents on car heating apparatuses granted to Egbert H. Gold, for example, Patent No. 987,570

dated March 21, 1911. In the space 24L between chambers 15, 15, 17, 18 of the four way valve is arranged a bushing 25 having openings corresponding to the openings between the chambers and space 2a. The bushing' and web 13are pierced with drainage ports 26 leading to a drain pipe 27. lVithin the bushing is a valve member 28 2 and 1) which is movable in the direction of its length and is also revoluble. This device comprises three discs "29, 30 and 31, conn'ected by vertical webs 32 and 33 which stand at right angles to each other. The upper disc 29 is formed with a boss 34tto which is secured loosely by pin 35 a stem 36 in the upper end of which is fixed a laterally extending guide pin 37, the ends of which project into guide slots 38 in a hollow cylindrical member 39 arranged within a bonnet 40 secured to the top of casing 10, the hollow cylindrical member being formed with a threaded stud 41 engaged by a nut -12 and with a head 43 adapted to bear against a packing 4-4.- in the up per end of bonnet 40. The lower end of the valve member 28 is enclosed by a thimble 45 threaded into a boss 46 on the bottom of casing 10, the thimble being formed with a flange 17 which clamps an annular member 48 against the under side of casing 10. The valve member 28 is'moved upwardly by fluid pressure exerted against a piston 49 having a stem '50 hearing against the under side of the disc 31 of the valve member, the stem 50 being provided with a portion 51 of reduced diameter which projects into an opening 52 extending through disc 31 and into web The valve is moved in the other direction by means of a coiled spring 53 interposed between the head ti-lot cylindrical member 39 and the upper disc 29 of the valve member A casting 5a is secured by bolts 55' to the annular member as bearing against the lower web 56 of the thimble 45. This casting has a cylindrical bore provided with a cylindrical bushing 57 within which piston 49 slides, its stem 50 extending through an opening 59 in web 56. The latter is pro vided with ports 60 to permit outflow of air from cylinder 57 when the piston 49 is raised. In the lower part of casting 54 is an opening 61 providing valve chamber for a valve to control the admission of fluid pressure to cylinder 57 under piston l9. In the embodiment of the invention shown the pressure fluid applied topiston 19 is taken from the train 'nipe C through a pipe 62 which is threaded into the side of casting 54C in line with the valve chamber 61. Arranged in the inner end of the valve chamber is a valve seat 68 provided with a relatively small port 6% putting the valve chamber in communication with pipe 62. This seat is held in place by a bushing (35 screwed into the casting 54, the outer end of the bushing (see Fig. 7) being formed with a valve seat 66. The controlling element for the fluid pressure consists L of a valve 6! L0 cooperate with seat 66 and a valve 68 having a threaded engagement with valve 6? for adjustment to cooperate with the valve seat 63. A coiled spring 69 is interposed between lugs 70 on, valve 6. and the valve seat member 63. An exhaust fitting 71 is fixed in the end of bush ing ($5. Valve 67 is provided with a stem 72 which extends through the exhaust fitting 71 and is engaged by an adjustable stud 73 on the end of a bell crank lever 74: pivoted at 75 to a web 76 forming part of castmg 51. A loch nut 77 holds stud 73 at the proper adjustment. The long arm of the bell crank lever 7a is engaged by a rod 78 tothe upper end of which issecured the armature 7 of an electroena net 80, the magnet and the armature constitutiug what has been termed the motor H. and being enclosed in a casing 81 supported on a piece of tubing 82 iii-zed to a boss 83 formed on the web 76 of casting 5i. 8-1, 85 are wires leading from the coil of magnet SOto one member or the thermostat G and the other to the battery I. 86 (Fig. 1) is the wire from the battery to the other member of the thermostat. The bell crank lever is preferably enclosed by a shield plate 87.

The valve member of four-way valve E is also operable by handfor emergency purposes. Nith this in view the valve member is made revoluble as well as movable in the direction of its length. The stud of the hollow cylindrical member 39 is provided with a squared portion 88 to which a handle 89 is fixed by means of a nut 90 on the threaded upper end 91 ot the stud. This handle is slightly resilient and ternlinates in a Forked portion normally engaged with a stud 93 on the casing 10. The handle may be bent slightly to tree it from the stud and moved a quarter of a turn into engage Inn til

the circuit through magnet H. Fig. 5 of the drawings shows the parts'of the apparatus in the positions which they take with the magnet energized and valve 68 closing the port (i i through which fluid pressure isadmitted to the cylinder 'lVith no pressure on the under side of the cylinder, valve 67 standing open, spring oil-will maintain the valve member 28 in its-lower position so that i its upper web will be in position in the (using of the four-way valve standing across the space 24 in line with webs l2 and l-l- (Fig. (3). Steam entering chan'ihei. of the our-way valve E from pipes C, 19 and :20 (its pressure being reduced by vapor regulator D) will pass into chamber 18 and out through pipe 23 to the thermostatc 1amher of the vapor regulator in su'liicient amount to keep the vapor regulator from freezing. The operation of the vapor regu 1 lator prevents any waste of steam. radiator A. contains any water of c ndensaion it may escape from both pipesQl and to the discharge pipe 27 through the port 26. As soon as the ten'iperature oi the car atmosphere falls below the point for which i hern'iostat G set the thermostat operates to brealt'the circuit through magnet H and s'iring 6-) moves valve 67 against its seat and at the same time moves valve 68 to open port (54:, as is shown in- Fig. 7. pressure from pipe 62 enters valve chamber (31 and is exerted against the under side of piston 4-9 raising the piston and with it the valve member so as to bring the lower web 3 thereof into the space 2 1 in four-way val e l). The web being at right angles to the web wlll take the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. (3, closing the outlet port 26 and putting the supply pipe if in couuuunication with the inflow end 21 of the rariator A. and putt-mg the outflow end oxr' radiator A in communication with by rotating the valve member a quarter of a turn by means-of handle 89.

It will be ol'ivious that changes in the form and construction of the parts of the apparatus as shown and described may be made, without departure from the principles of the Steam Steam is nowcircui invention. Certaincommon elementsrofi the heating system have been shown mia simpllfied andadiagrammatic' manner. :1 have shown: a two-pipe"radiating coil but it will be obvious: that the invention :1S'ZtpPl1C.dl)l6," -w1th certainoljivious modifications, tea 0 vocoil system. Tlhe word upipe, asr'usedoin the claims is not enu loyedin a limiting sense. I intend thereby any conduit forming means. 7 g 1 r 1 claim: 1.1111 a heatingv system the combination of-a supply pipefa radiator having inflow and outflow pip-es, a discharge pipe, aandna controlling device comprising" a casing. having ports communicating with. said pipes.- and a valve member movable longitudinally through said casingwhich in one position puts the supply pipe inzconnnunication withthe inflow pipe and theuontflow pipe in communication -with theidischarge pipe and in another position shuts otl the inflow andooutfiow pipesand puts the supply pipe in cirect comn' unication with the "discharge pipe.

2. In a heating systemt the-combination of supply pipepa radiator-shaving inflow and outflow pipes, .a discharge pipe; and-a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating with said pipes. and a drainuport, andia valve member movable longitudinally: throughsaid casing which in one: position puts the supply pipe in conmmnication with the inflow pipe. and the outflow pipe in communication with the" discharge pi ie-and closes the dra'in port, and in anotherposition shuts off the inflow and outflow pipes, opens the-drain port and puts the supply-pipe in direct communicate tion with the discharge pipe.

3. In a. heating system, the combination ot a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and out-fie Y pipes, a discharge "pipe, anda controlling device comprising a casing tudina-lly through said casing and formed with two longitudiimlly extending webs arranged successively lengthwise oi the member and standing at 'an angle with respect to each other. one of whichwebs is arranged so as to put the supply pipe in communication with the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and the other of? which is arranged to' shut oil. the inflow and outflow pipes and put the supply pipe in direct communication with the discharge pipe.

L111 a'heat-ing system; the combination of a supply pipe,:a radiator having inflow and outflow1pipes,. a discharge pipe, and a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating'with said. pipes, and a valveinember movable longitudinally I through said casi-ng'whiclr valve memben in one position puts the supply pipe in communication with the inflow pipe and the out flow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and in an alternative position shuts off .the inflow and outflow pipes and puts the supply pipe in direct communication with the discharge pip-e, said valve member being revoluble so as to ei'lect the alternative connections above specifled by angular movement as well as by longitudinal movement.

5. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, and a controlling device con'iprising a casing hav ing ports communicating with said pipes, and a drain port, and a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing which valve member in one position puts the supply pipe in communication Fith the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and closes the drain port, and inan alternative position shuts off: the inflow and outflow pipes, opens the drain port and puts the supply pipe in direct communication with the discharge pipe, said valve member being revoluble, so as to effect the alternative connections above specified by angular movement as well as by longitudinal movement.

6. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, and a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating with said pipes, and a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing and also mounted revolubly therein and formed with two lontion of said valve member, to shut off the inflow and outflow pipes and put the supply pipe in direct communication with the dis charge pipe.

7. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating with said pipes, and a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing which valve member in one position puts the supply pipe in communication with the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and in another position shuts off the inflow and outflow pipes and puts the supply pipe in direct communication ith the discharge pipe, a piston connected with said valve member, and a cylinder in which said piston operates adapted to receive a pressure fluid.

8. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, aradiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, a controlling device co-mprising a casing having ports communicating with said pipes, a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing which valve member in one position puts the supply pipe in comiunication with the inflow pipe a 1d the outflow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and in another positionshuts oil the inflow and outflow pipes and puts the supply pipe in direct communication with the discharge pipe, a piston connected with said valve member, a cylinder in which said piston operates, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder from said supply pipe.

9. a heatin system, the combination of a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, andv a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating.with said pipes, a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing which valve member in one position puts the supply pipe in communication with the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and in an alternative position shuts oil the inflow and outflow pipes and puts the supply pipe in direct communica tion with the discharge pipe, said valve member being revoluble and adapted to elittect the alternative connections above specified by angular movement as well as by 1ongitudinal movement, a piston connected with aid 'alve member, and a cylinder in which said piston operates which is adapted to receive pressure fluid.

10. in a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, and a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating with said pipes, a valve iember movable longitudinally through said casing which valve member in one position puts the supply pipe in communication with the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe in communication. with the discharge pipe and in an alternative position shuts off the inflow and outflow pipes and puts the supply pipe in direct communication with the discharge pipe, said valve iember being revoluble and adapted to ct the alternative connectionsv above specified by angular movement as well as by longitudinal movement, a piston connected with said valve member, a fluid pressure cylinder in which said piston operates, and a spring which tends to move said valve member in the direction opposite to the movement impart d thereto by the piston when under pressure.-

11. In a heating system, the combination of a supplypipe, radiator having inflow and outflow-pipes, a discharge pipe and a controlling device comprising a casing having ports communicating with said pipes, a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing which valve member in one position puts the supply pipe in communication with the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe in communication with the discharge pipe and in another position shuts ofl" the inflow and outflow pipes and puts the supply pipe in direct communication with the discharge pipe, a piston connected with said valve member, a fluid pressure cylin der in which said piston operates, and a valve for governing the inflow of pressure fluid to the cylinder.

12. in a heating system, the combination of a radiator, a supply pipe and a valve member which may be moved either longitudinally or revolubly to admit heating medium from the supply pipe to the radiator or close communication between said pipe and said radiator.

13. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator, a supply pipe, a valve member which may be moved either longitudinally or revolubly to admit heating medium from the supply pipe to the radiator or close communication between said pipe and said radiator, a handle for effecting one or" said movements manually, and other motive means "for et ecting the other of said movements.

l l. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator, supply pipe, valve member which may be moved either longitudinally or revolubly to admit heating medium from the supply pipe to the radiator or close communication between said pipe and said radiator, a handle for revolving the valve memher, and other motive means for moving the valve member longitudinally.

15. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator, a supply pipe, a valve member which may be moved either lOl'lglttiCllnally or revolubly to admit heating medium from the supply pipe to the radiator or close communication between said pipe and said radiator, a handle for revolving said valve member, a fluid pressure motor for imparting longitudinal movement to the valve member in one direction, and a spring tor moving it in the opposite direction.

16. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator, a supply pipe, a valve member which may be moved either longitudinally or revolubly to admit heating medium "from the supply pipe to the radiator or close communication between said pipe and said radiator, a handle for revolving said valve member, a fluid pressure motor for imparting longitudinal movementi to the valve member in one direction,': aaspringtor moving it i11 the opposite direction, and a valve for governing the admission iotpres sure fluid to. said motor. 17. In a heating system, the 'COillblllflt-lOIL of a supply ipipe, a radiator having inflow and outflowpipes, a discharge pipe, a con-i trolling ports communicating w th said pipes and a.

device comprising a' casing having drain port, a valve member movable longitudinally through said casing and'revoluble" therein, formed with two longitudinally extending webs arrange-d successively lengthother of said webs being so arranged as to.

shut off the inflow and outflow pipes, open the drain port and put they supply pipe in communication with the discharge pipe, a piston on one end of said valve member, a cylinder in which said piston operates, a

spring adapted to bear against the other end of said valve member, a revolub'le member provided with a handle and having a slidable non-rotatable engagement with said valve member, and means for admitting pressure fluid to said cylinder.

18. In a heating system, the combination of a supply pipe, a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a discharge pipe, a :tourwav valve having ports communicating with said pipes, and a drain port, said valve being provided with a revolubly and longitudinally movable valve member comprising two webs arranged successively lengthwise of the member at right angles to each other, a handle for revolving said valve member, a piston on one end of said valve member, a. oylinde"in which said piston operates, a spring bearing against the other end of said valve member, a valve chamber adjacent said cylinder and communicating therewith provided with aninlet port and an exhaust port, a pressure fluid supply pipe leading to said inlet port, a double valve in said valve chamber arranged to close said ports alternately, spring to move said valve in one direction, a rock arm bearing against the valve to move it in the other direction, and means for giving angular movement to said rock arm.

19. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator having inflow and outflow pipes, a four-way valve comprising a casing divided so as to have four chambers with two of which said pipes communicate, and a revolubly mounted and longitudinally movable valve member which is arrangedin said casing and is formed with a pair of webs one beyond the other lengthwise of the valve Which stand at an angle to each other, means for imparting longitudinal movement to said valve member, and a handle for revolving said valve member manually.

'20. In a heating system, the combination of a radiator, a supply pipe, a valve member which may be moved either longitudinally or revolubly to admit heating medium from the Supply pipe to the radiator or close communication between said pipe and radiator, means for moving the valve longitudinally, and means for rotating the valve member comprising a revoluble member pro vided with a handle and having a sliding non-rotatable engagement With said valve member.

EDWARD A. RUSSELL. 

